Springie's Fics

Springie Her Royal Fluffiness...Swan of Swans... posted 29 Apr 2007 14:42

The Replacements A/N: This takes place before the G-Force team was completely established. It doesn't completely follow canon, and I've taken a few liberties as to how the team was put together. The original team is made up of Mark, Jason, Don and Tiny. I also kept them at the ages of around 17 or 18. Princess is 16 when she joins, and Keyop is 8. The atmosphere was tense on the Phoenix that day. Don stared defiantly into the Jason's narrowed eyes. The scowl on the Condor's face told me he was ready to maim Don. I mentally braced myself for the fallout. Tiny was busy flying the ship, so it would be up to me to keep my comrades from killing each other. 'That's enough, you two.' I ordered in my most authoritative voice. I hoped it would work. Even I wouldn't like to be caught between the two ill tempered birds. I watched as Jason stormed out of the flight deck of the Phoenix in a fit of rage. Don seemed to revel in the thought of ruffling Jason's feathers. I could see why Jason got angry at him all the time. Don really was a know-it-all, and a terrible Commander. This practice mission was supposed to be quick and easy, but Don wasn't able to manage the team well enough&and it takes a lot of finesse to command the Condor. Hell, I even butt heads with Jason from time to time, and we're as close as brothers. 88888888888888888888888 Cautiously, I followed Jason out into the launch bay to see if I could calm things down. I found him leaning against the wall with his arms folded across his chest. He looked up at me with flames still burning in his steely gray eyes. 'How can you stand that jackass?' Jason fumed. His arms flailed as he spoke, showing the Italian side of him. 'If that had been a real mission, that hotshot would have gotten us killed!' 'Cool it, Jase,' I took a deep breath to give myself time to think. 'Don is a very smart guy, but I don't think the Chief is going to make him the Commander of the team. He's book smart, but I have to admit, he's lacking in common sense.' 'Well, it'll be my turn as Commander next, and my first order will be to leave him behind!' Jason ranted. I put a gloved hand on Jason's shoulder in an effort to calm him. 'Listen, Jase, the whole idea is for us to be able to work as a team. Like it or not, we're stuck with him.' 'Mark,' Jason's face burned as he stared straight into my eyes. Then, he pushed my hand off of his shoulder. 'It's either him or me. One of us has to go. I'm going to have a serious talk with the Chief about this when we get back.' Jason thought for a few seconds and then began again. He pointed at the door to the flight deck as he spoke. 'I mean, the guy doesn't get along with any of us. How can we have a team, if one of us isn't a team player? We need to take out that hotshot once and for all!' I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Jason was a hothead at times, but I knew I could always count on him, no matter what. I couldn't believe he really wanted Don to be taken off of the team, but I had to agree with Jason. I really didn't think I could count on Don to back me up in battle. What was I going to do? I stood there like an idiot, staring at the floor. Jason was practically my brother, and I didn't want to admit it, but Don really got under my skin, too. I have a lot of patience, but eventually he would push me too far. Don had even butted heads with Tiny, trying to tell him how to pilot the Phoenix. And it takes a lot to make Tiny blow his top. Jason had declared an ultimatum. It was him or Don. Don just wasn't right for the team. We had given him plenty of time to adjust, but it just wasn't working. It was time for me to jump on the band wagon with my decision. 'If you feel that strongly, Jase, I'll back you up. I'm sure Tiny will, too.' I turned my back to the Condor and walked back toward the flight deck. 'We just can't be sure of who the replacement will be. It could be worse, you know.' The Replacements- 2 Chief Anderson appeared busy filing reports as we stood in his doorway. I rapped on the door with my knuckles to let him know we were back inside Center Neptune. Anderson shut his filing cabinet and turned to talk to us. 'Come in and sit down, team. We have a lot to discuss.' I didn't like the tone of his voice. 'Commander, please give me your report.' The Chief pressed his fingertips together and peered at Don through his thick glasses. 'Well, sir, the team was reluctant to follow my orders&' Don began. 'Reluctant? I'll give you reluctant&' Jason interrupted. His fists were clenched tightly as he stood up to go after Don. Tiny grabbed Jason by his shoulders to keep him back. 'Whoa, there, buddy&' 'Any Commander of G-Force should be able to make level headed decisions and keep his subordinates in check.' Anderson chided Don. Then he turned to Jason. 'And if you expect to lead this team, you have to be able to conceal your emotions, Jason. We can't have you flying off the handle any time things don't go your way.' I could tell the Chief was really miffed, even though he masked himself well. He turned to me. Oh no, what was he going to say, now? I inwardly winced& 'Mark, would you mind telling me what this is all about?' 'Yes, sir,' I looked around at my companions. 'Well, Jason was shooting bird missiles at the robot planes, and taking them out two or three at a time.' 'And Bozo, here, had us go into Fiery Phoenix mode and plow through the units all at once&' Jason growled. 'Enough, Jason, I asked Mark&' The Chief was beginning to lose his patience. 'It's just as Jason says.' I bowed my head. 'We tried to stop him. I know the Fiery Phoenix is just for emergencies&' 'Not only that, but it's dangerous. That maneuver is to be used with great caution, not to show off with, and certainly not for defeating robot planes in a training mission.' Anderson pushed himself forcefully back in his chair and continued. 'The mission was an abject failure. Because of this, I cannot recommend you for the Commanding position, Don. I'm sure you understand.' Don didn't answer. He stood up and stormed out of the room, mumbling something about how no one here appreciated him. We sat together in silence for a few minutes. Then I spoke up. 'Chief, we'd like to talk to you. It's about Don&' I cleared my throat nervously. I felt like I was treading on thin ice. Anderson put his hand up. 'Mark, you don't have to say a word. Based on his recent performance, Don just isn't cut out for G-Force. I will make arrangements for his dismissal immediately.' I looked at Jason and Tiny. I felt my mouth gaping open in shock. I could see that they were just as surprised as I was. That was easy. I guess the Chief knew more about our team dynamics than we realized. 'You're all dismissed. You will be placed on sabbatical until I can find a replacement for Don.' The chief took off his glasses and casually began to wipe them with a handkerchief. As we got up to leave, he called my name. 'Mark&' I turned back cautiously. Jason and Tiny took off toward the Ready Room. 'Yes, Chief?' '&I'd like to talk to you alone for a minute. Come sit down.'

Springie Her Royal Fluffiness...Swan of Swans... posted 29 Apr 2007 14:46

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